Equity Sponsors Excellence in Theatre Ed. & Service Award

Actors' Equity Association (Equity) and the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia (Theatre Alliance) announced today that Equity will sponsor the Excellence in Theatre Education and Community Services Award at the upcoming Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre, held on Monday, October 1, 2007.  This is the first time Equity, the Union which represents more than 46,000 professional stage actors and stage managers nationwide, will participate in an official capacity at the awards ceremony.

The Award, now called The Actors Equity Award for Excellence in Theatre Education and Community Service, seeks to recognize local theatre companies for their outstanding educational programs which promote innovative theatre and educational experiences as a vehicle for betterment in communities throughout the Philadelphia region. The award also includes a cash prize to the recipient, sponsored by the Harvey & Virginia Kimmel Arts Education Fund  The 2007 nominees are 1812 Production's 1812 Outreach, Lantern Theater Company's Illumination, Philadelphia Theatre Company's My Philly Reality, and Walnut Street Theatre's Adopt-A-School.

The Barrymore Awards are produced by the Theatre Alliance and are the only comprehensive awards program in the region, recognizing artistic excellence in theater.  For the first time, the gala awards ceremony will be held at the Crystal Tea Room, located in the Wannamaker Building.

The Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia strengthens and leads the region's richly diverse theater community, with more than 100 member organizations and 300 individuals, by promoting awareness and serving as a resource for information, professional development and advocacy.

Equity has a strong presence in Philadelphia with more than 700 members who live and work in the area.  The Walnut Street Theatre,  The Wilma Theater, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Act II Playhouse, The Arden Theatre Company, 1812 Productions,  the People's Light & Theatre Company and The Lantern Theater Company – all 2007 Barrymore Award nominees – are among the numerous  Equity theaters in Philadelphia and surrounding region.

Actors' Equity Association was founded in 1913 and seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society.  Equity negotiates wages and working conditions, providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans.  AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions.